Mr Sulu revealed as gay in Star Trek Beyond: and George Takei isn’t happy about it

Hikaru Sulu, in his latest incarnation by actor John Cho, will be revealed as being in a same sex couple in the new Star Trek film, in a move likely intended to be a nod to openly gay former Sulu actor George Takei.

Sulu will be shown to be the father of a young girl with a same-sex partner in the new movie, which hits cinemas on July 26.

However, Takei himself has explained he’s not entirely pleased with the decision, calling it ‘really unfortunate’.

“I’m delighted that there’s a gay character,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “Unfortunately, it’s a twisting of [Star Trek creator] Gene [Roddenberry]’s creation, to which he put in so much thought. I think it’s really unfortunate.”

“[Gene] was a strong supporter of LGBT equality,” Takei continued on the subject. “But he said he has been pushing the envelope and walking a very tight rope [with Star Trek‘s famed interracial kiss] – and if he pushed too hard, the show would not be on the air.”

The ‘reveal’ follows a similar subtle inclusion of a gay character seen in this month’s Independence Day: Resurgence, in which Star Trek alum Brent Spiner’s character Dr. Brackish Okun is shown to have a long-term male partner.

We’re all in favour of seeing greater LGBT inclusion in more big movie franchises!